Wichita State names Cindy Claycomb director of WSU Ventures

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Cindy Claycomb has been named director of Wichita State University’s newly formed WSU Ventures. Claycomb is completing a term as interim dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business. She will begin as director of WSU Ventures on Sept. 2.

Cindy Claycomb

Claycomb will also serve as assistant to President John Bardo, with responsibility for strategic planning.

WSU Ventures will report to John Tomblin, vice president for Research and Technology Transfer.

Tomblin said it will engage in three primary activities: protecting and licensing of WSU inventions; connecting industry with WSU researchers; and linking WSU researchers and technologies with start-up potential to investors and entrepreneurs.

“In her roles as co-chair of strategic planning and interim dean of the Barton School, Cindy Claycomb has proved her value as a change agent,” says Bardo. “John Tomblin and I are pleased to have her in this new role, shaping and promoting WSU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.”

Claycomb said, “Working on WSU Ventures provides me the opportunity to work on implementation of WSU’s strategic plan – bringing the plan to life.”

She said WSU Ventures supports the university’s mission to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.

In concert with that mission, WSU Ventures’ goal is to create new products, businesses and jobs that improve the quality of life for all Kansans.

“WSU Ventures is an innovation ecosystem that brings together resources from across the university to spur innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and in the community,” Claycomb says. “University faculty, staff and students, industry partners, entrepreneurs and investors will benefit.”

Claycomb received her bachelor’s and MBA degrees from WSU and her Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, after spending 12 years in the industry.